National Parks Traveler Podcast | Cook Inlet's Beluga Whales
About this episode
The episode discusses the potential environmental impact of a proposed gold mine near Cook Inlet on the critically endangered beluga whales.
A fast-track proposal to develop a gold mine near Alaska's Cook Inlet and Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is alarming scientists, environmental groups and local communities because of the devastating effects it is expected to have on the region's critically endangered beluga whales. Cook Inlet is home to a small and genetically distinct population of beluga whales that has struggled for decades from habitat loss, industrial activity, pollution, and underwater noise. Supporters of the mining project say it will bring jobs, economic growth and profit to Native Alaskans. This week Traveler's Lynn Riddick talks with Cooper Freeman, Alaska Director of the Center for Biological Diversity. His organization along with many others argue that the gold to be extracted isn't worth the cost of threatening a species already vulnerable to extinction and forever desecrating a magnificent landscape.
People in this episode
Host: Lynn Riddick
Guest: Cooper Freeman
Topics covered
- beluga whales
- gold mining
- environmental impact
- endangered species
- Alaska
- local communities
Keywords
- beluga whales
- gold mine
- Alaska
- environmental groups
- habitat loss
- pollution
- industrial activity
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Center for Biological Diversity
Places: Cook Inlet, Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, Alaska
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